ABSTRACT
Conjugation of avian IgY antibodies to nanosensors has been extensively explored for the diagnostics of virus and parasite infection, as well as for the detection of pharmaceutically and toxicologically relevant molecules. However, to date this strategy has only been minimally applied the detection of allergens. In this study, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were conjugated to a polyvalent IgY antibodies raised against Dermatophagoides group I allergens. GNPs were synthesized by HAuCL4 reduction using 1% trisodium citrate, and characterized them by absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The most stable immunoconjugates were obtained with 18-nm monodisperse GNPs and a minimal concentration of 12.5⯵g/mL of IgY at pHâ¯7.5. The immunoconjugate was capable of detecting up to 1.5⯵g of a total Dermatophagoides farinae protein extract in an immuno-dot blot assay. This immunoreactant conjugate represents a new tool for the detection and control of indoor dust mite allergens.
